Tips for Bathtub Installation and Shower Installation

Before attempting any bathtub or shower installation, keep in mind that this is really a job for a professional contractor. It is not a simple process and can be very costly. There are a variety of different types of tubs and sizes, widths and styles. If you have experience with bathtub installation and feel confident in your abilities to perform the work, then here are some basic guidelines for getting the job done right.

Before you start take careful measurements and make sure that the new tub approximates the size of the old tub. If not, then you may have to make additional modifications that may or may not work.

For the bathtub installation you’ll need to start by removing the existing bathtub. That will require you to open up the three surrounding walls. You may also have to remove some of the adjacent fixtures such as toilet, sink, vanity or other bathroom furniture. You may also need to remove the base moulding, floor covering and underlayment because they will also need to be replaced.

If you have tiles on the walls take care to ensure that you minimize the possible damage or you may have to replace the tile.

This is by no means a one person project, so make sure that you have one or two other people to help you with moving and positioning the tubs during the project. If you’re not a professional plumber, then it may be wise to have one handy to help you with the connections and tubing that will need to be changed out during the process.

Shower installation also requires careful planning and should be performed by a professional contractor, if possible.

Keep in mind the following things when planning your shower installation project:

The type of shower enclosure you’re going to use has to be one of your first decisions. Is it compatible with your current enclosure in terms of size, style and plumbing requirements. If the shower is not in the bath, and you donât already have a shower, then you need to consider the placement of the shower and whether it will work with your existing plumbing configuration.

Decide whether or not you’ll need shower tiles and what kind of shower pan you’ll be using. Before you start your shower installation project, you may want to visit a bathroom supply showroom to find the hardware you want to include in your shower such as shower head, handles and any other accessories you may prefer.

Another important choice you’ll need to make is the type of enclosure you want. Steam shower doors are very popular and this may be preferable to other types of enclosures like plain curtains, glass or Plexiglas doors. Some showers have no enclosure at all.

Take into consideration the entrance and the size of the curb. You may prefer to have a curbless entrance, which would be especially helpful for those who are physically challenged or wheelchair bound.

As stated previously, shower and bath installation is challenging and should be performed by an experienced contractor or someone with experience. Take your time to plan the project and write out all the steps youâll be needing to take along the way and make sure you perform each task in itâs proper order. Make this a team project and most importantly, donât rush the work. Taking time to do it right will ultimately make for a satisfying result.